Chronicles of Old Paris by John Baxter

Chronicles of Old Paris

by John Baxter

A must read for anyone visiting Paris or interested in a short history of the city.

This wonderful book, although not technically a travel guide, is bursting with information and history and a must read for anyone visiting Paris.

In this whirlwind tour of the history of Paris, presented in 29 digestible chapters, complimented with illustrations, photographs, maps and walking tours is fascinating reading, in an engaging and accessible manner.

I say, not technically a travel guide because it doesn’t offer information on where to stay or eat but what it does recommend is some great walks and places to visit, backed with some fascinating stories.

Last year, I devised a number of walks around Paris, based on the information John Baxter provides in Chronicles of Old Paris.

The book also inspired me to visit Château de Vincennes, to see where the Marquis de Sade spent time in prison. I also took myself off to the Basilica of St Denis after reading Chapter One: Losing Your Head, which covers the legend of Saint Denis and my third visit to Père Lachaise, to see the grave of Héloïse and Abelard, after reading about their passionate love story.

Although I have read this book from cover to cover, I still dip into it from time to time and intend on visiting more recommendations this year.

The book covers Marie Antoinette, Dr Guillotin, Napoleon Bonaparte & Josephine, George Sand & Chopin, The theft of the Mona Lisa, Coco Chanel, Ernest Hemingway’s time in Paris, The Opera Garnier and much more.

Chronicles of Old Paris is definitely a book worthy of taking to Paris.

Visit one of the sites, and find somewhere to sit, as you read the fascinating history, John Baxter has compiled.

The story goes that Saint Denis, now Patron Saint of Paris, upsetting the pagan priests, was marched up the hill, of what is now Montmartre, and his head was chopped off. Picking up his severed head, Saint Denis continuing on, for 10 kilometres, preaching a sermon along the way, until finally, he dropped dead. Where …

The amount of people living on the streets in Paris is alarming and I feel compelled to donate to their cause. Passing homeless people, tossing a few coins into their tins or bowls, is a regular occurrence, for me. If you would like to give to the city of Paris in another way, I would …

The rain is back, which meant I needed to do something that could be spent, mostly, indoors. I took the metro, to just outside of the Paris periphery, to the area of Vincennes and took shelter at Chateau Vincennes. I was slightly disappointed. The entry fee to the Chateâu Vincennes of €8.50 only allows entrance …